The Mendenhall Mayor and Board of Aldermen recently held their regular meeting at City Hall. Mayor Todd Booth presided with all aldermen present.
The meeting was opened with prayer by Alderman Arthur Walker, and the agenda was unanimously approved.
Eric Newsome appeared before the board regarding a property cleanup notice he received. After discussion on the issue, he thanked the board and departed.
Jennifer Sparks, who was scheduled to discuss a possible city curfew for juveniles, was not present, and no action was taken on that matter.
City Attorney Wesley Broadhead confirmed the validity of the proof of publication for the 2025–2026 budget and tax levy hearing.
The board approved the appointment of Curtis Skiffer to the Zoning Board Committee, with a second member to be brought forward at the October 7 meeting. They also set a public hearing for September 29 regarding a proposed amendment to Ordinance #258, which would raise the city’s water rate from $14.89 to $19.89 for the first 2,000 gallons.
Following discussion, the board unanimously adopted the 2025–2026 budget and tax levy and authorized the clerk to publish it.
The board approved an agreement allowing Mayor Booth to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Simpson County Board of Supervisors for housing detainees at the county jail.
Minutes from the August 5 regular meeting, August 6 special called meeting, and August 26 public hearing were also approved, and financial reports for August 2025 were accepted, including $688,928.31 in paid claims, $141,238.56 in unpaid claims, and $510 in meter refunds.
In other business, the board authorized up to $300 for candy for the upcoming Trunk or Treat event and approved payment of $17,061.84 to Allen Interior Finishes for new library carpet once work is completed at that facility.
They also approved $5,257.46 from HB603 funds to Cooper Electric for a pump rebuild at Millstone and $149,324.58 to McKee Construction for work on the water and sewer project at Frontage Road.
Susan McDonald presented the August property cleanup report. After discussion, fines of $500 each were issued to Sam and Lorie Yingling for failure to remove a shed at 221 W. Maud and to the owner of 501 North Main Street for failing to complete cleanup. No action was taken on several other listed properties.
The board then recessed into a public hearing to consider additional cleanup issues, ultimately deciding to review 600 Simpson Circle in December due to ongoing family court proceedings.
When the meeting resumed, the board approved a request by Mayor Booth and Police Chief James Walker to seek three new vehicles for the Mendenhall Police Department from the Mississippi Department of Public Safety.
They also accepted the resignation of police dispatcher Stormee Abbott. Approval was granted for the purchase of jaws equipment for the Mendenhall Fire Department.
The board ratified Mayor Booth’s earlier actions to hire Michael Sherrod Nixon and Joseph Cooper for the Public Works grass crew and accepted the resignations of Christian Barske and Hubert Jernigan from the grass crew, and approved the resignation of Joel Westbrook from the Buildings and Grounds Department.
Court Clerk Stephanie Berry presented a written report of citations issued in August, which was discussed but required no action.
Pay raises effective October 1, 2025, were approved for five city employees.
The board also approved the purchase of a $550 advertisement in the Simpson County News Source Magazine.
During an executive session on personnel matters, the board voted to terminate Officer Mike Wade George at the recommendation of Police Chief Walker.
No action was taken regarding discussion of the city’s building inspector. With no further business, the meeting adjourned
